Part 1: Return to the Office Series - Predicting the Return to the Office

EUROPE

Office attendance is still artificially low because many markets continue to mandate social distancing. Prior to the most recent wave, generally, most offices were only able to operate at approximately 50% normal capacity. The second wave of COVID-19 drove occupancy levels down at the end of 2020. However, as the infection rate slowed, occupancy began increasing through September 2021. That’s when the Delta variant appeared. This third wave differed from its predecessors because of the number of people that had been fully vaccinated. The major impetus to return to the office has been the end of the traditional August holiday season and return to school. The number of London tube journeys on September 6, 2021 reached its highest level since the beginning of the pandemic. Bus journeys alike experienced a dramatic uplift, with 40% more passengers than the same time the prior week.

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